The Fall 2024 Semester begins soon, and if you’re still wondering how you’re going to pay for your classes, never fear: we have ways to help you afford everything you need to be successful.
Fill Out the FAFSA
“FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid,” says Financial Aid Director Leslie Jia. “It’s a form that students complete to apply for federal grants, federal work-study and federal student loans. But the application is also used to determine student's eligibility for state grants and scholarships, and institutional grants.”
We say it all the time: filling out the FAFSA can be key for your financial aid success. With changes being made to the FAFSA each year, even if you haven’t been eligible for aid in the past, you may be eligible now.
Completing your FAFSA doesn’t even take too long. “In general, students and parents should anticipate at least an hour, which includes creating an FSA ID to sign the FAFSA and completing the application,” Jia explained.
But, Jia says: “Processing students’ financial aid files, especially during this peak time, can cause a delay in awarding students financial aid if they are eligible.” So, make sure to get this important application turned in as soon as you can.
In case you’re looking for other quick tips, Jia provided a few more recommendations:
- If you’re asked to provide financial documents for your FAFSA, make sure you’re using tax documents from the 2022 tax year to avoid delays in processing.
- Have a financial back-up plan, such as signing up for a payment plan, before you are dropped from your classes for not meeting a payment deadline.
- Always include your Student ID number on financial aid documents, including scholarship checks.
- Adding a third-party (parent or spouse) authorizes the college to release financial aid information to the parent or spouse who is helping the student complete their FAFSA or financial aid file. The third-party release feature can be found in MyTMCC in the student services center.
- If you’re eligible to receive a financial aid refund check based on the amount of aid you receive, we recommend meeting with a peer mentor from FLAMES (Financial Literacy and Money Education by Students). You’ll learn about budgeting, savings, or banking, and other topics to help successfully plan for current and future semesters at TMCC.
Whatever you do, our Financial Aid experts are here to help. On-campus, Jia said, “Kiosks are available to help students and parents complete the FAFSA, or you can also contact our office by phone or email with questions.”
Apply for Fee Waivers and Grants
Students who are members of specially-recognized groups and programs may also be eligible for fee waivers or grants which can reduce the cost of your education. Not sure if you qualify? Check out these examples:
- The NSHE Native American Fee Waiver provides assistance to students who are members of a federally recognized Indian tribe or nation, or who are certified by the Bureau of Indian Affairs as being a descendant of an enrolled member.
- The NSHE Foster Youth Fee Waiver will help pay certain fees for former Nevada foster youth who meet the criteria.
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and undocumented students are eligible for the Adelante and Silver State Opportunity Grant, and the Green Door Scholarship.
Barnes & Noble Book Scholarships
Did you know that our on-campus bookstore is an affiliate of Barnes & Noble? The Lizard Book Nook is your one-stop campus shop for everything you’ll need for class, including books.
Barnes & Noble is generously providing scholarships of up to $300 to reimburse students for their textbook purchases for Fall 2024 Semester only.
“To qualify, you must be enrolled in at least 6 credits and have at least a 2.0 GPA,” said Scholarship Manager Samantha Bellwood. “It’s first-come, first-served, so students who shop early and submit a receipt will be rewarded. We’re so grateful to Barnes & Noble for this support.”
Starting August 1, you can submit your bookstore receipt online to be considered for the Fall 2024 scholarship. Once the funds have been spent, the online form will be unavailable.
For more information on the Barnes & Noble Scholarship, please contact the TMCC Foundation.
Get a Job On Campus
If you need flexibility that will work around your class schedule, working on campus may be the solution for you. A wide variety of student employment is available at TMCC, with many types of jobs—everything from working in an office setting, becoming a tutor, or working with children at the Dandini Campus in the E.L. Cord Foundation Child Care Center–and so many more. Learn more about current job opportunities on our online job board, Handshake.
For more information about financial aid opportunities, contact the TMCC Financial Aid Office at 775-673-7072.